Ban on the use of all engineered stone

The Victorian Government will ban all engineered stone from 1 July 2024.

The decision follows a national meeting of Work Health and Safety (WHS) ministers on Wednesday 13 December, where several recommendations relating to the use of engineered stone were considered as part of Safe Work Australia’s (SWA) Decision Regulation Impact Statement (DRIS): Prohibition on the use of engineered stone.

What does this mean?

 

From 1 July 2024, Victorian employers will no longer be permitted to carry out work involving the manufacturing, supply, processing or installation of engineered stone. 

Some exceptions will be made for the removal, repair, minor modification, and disposal of engineered stone products installed prior to the prohibition (legacy products), as well as appropriate exceptions for engineered stone products with trace levels of crystalline silica (under 1%).

A customs ban will also provide an additional layer of enforcement and deterrence at the border.

Until this time, Victoria’s current Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) laws in relation to exposure to silica dust or working with engineered stone, and the associated employer obligations, remain in place. If you currently hold an engineered stone licence it will remain valid until the ban comes into effect.

Prior to 1 July 2024, employers or self-employed persons planning on undertaking any engineered stone process must still hold an engineered stone licence. You must not undertake any engineered stone process if you do not hold a current licence.

Further information

You can view Victoria’s current OHS laws and guidance in relation to engineered stone, please visit the WorkSafe website.

The Victorian Government media release can also be viewed here.